A-Rigs On The Rock

[buzzbaitr]

Ok guys I finally get to come down in about two weeks and have never caught a thing on the a-rig. Can I get some advice on the type of a rig, 5 wire plain or more of a picasso bait ball extreme. Also is it better with grubs or swimbaits? I have thrown the arig with not a fish to show for it, so I obviously am doing something or a couple somethings wrong, lol

[Bill Babler]

You are not alone. Ask some of the 100 plus anglers that fished it this last weekend in the bfl that blew chunks on it.

A 5 wire rig is the rig to chose, but the configuration of the bait and blade pattern is very important. The idea is to present as many targets as possible to the fish but in turn have them chose one of the 3 that are the hot or hooked baits. Thru a couple of years of experience now we have figured that out, to a very good percentage of positive hits on the hot baits.

The main factor however is to fish it where the fish are at the time you are fishing it. ie Seasonal locations.

So we have established it to be fished where the fish are. Now, we know where they are as far as lake locations, but what depth are they? The A-Rig is not a Buzzbait. It is designed to be fished slowly thru the water column that is holding the fish. Here is where your electronics come into play. Got to know where they are in the water depth.

A very good recommendation is to go out with a local or a friend that is very confident with it and knows the correct procedure on how to set it up, or book one of our local Table Rock guides that fish it on an everyday basis. Bill Beck, Pete Weeners, Buster Loving, Eric Oliverson, Tony Wedele, Chris Tetrick, Tim Paige and a ton of other professional guides here are just excellent with the Rig.

Usually 1/2 day 4 hr. lesson is all it takes to learn more than you would in 2 years trying thru trial and error with it. The Guides put in the trial and error time for you, so you should be able to not only learn to use it correctly but catch a fish or two during your outing. This is for sure positive reinforcement on the procedure it takes to use this bait to its best level of performance.

Every person I take that has been or just started using the A-Rig, says " I had no idea that is the way to correctly fish that thing. I thought you just casted it out and reeled it in." Wrong.

[mjk86]

Told ya buzz, just gotta switch forums...like A-Rigs 101, or more like A-rigs 501! Never thrown one personally...but I know where to look if I ever decided too.

[buzzbaitr]

That is some awesome info. Thank you so much! I absolutely love reading this forum. The amount of info is amazing.

[Bitethis]

I am no pro, nor am I a guide...so take this for what it is worth:

I love the A-rig, and something I do different than mentioned above, is attaching a willow blad to the top two wires, and only put "hot" baits on the middle and bottom two wires. I use the flash mob, jr, so that is a total 6 willow leaf blades. I use bigger spinner bait willows on the top two wires, attached with a barral swivel.

1. More thump
2. More flash
3. Allows for slower fall, and retrieve
4. and just like baits, the blad options are endless: colorado blades for throwing it at night?

Again, just my 2 cents and my preference. I think Bill hit the nail on the ehad though...throw where there are fish, and practice practice practice. Go with someone who has confidence and success and share in that for a few hours, it will build your confidence and create success for you.

Tight Lines!

[Champ188]

I really can't express how ready I am for 60-degree water.

[dtrs5kprs]

I really can't express how ready I am for 60-degree water.

Roger that. I am now at the point where I giggle maniacally while watching the snow melt, and may even be chanting at it. On the upside, giggling and chanting while sprinkling ice melt on the drive keeps the neighbors from pestering you.

[balsabee]

My homemade versions.....Flash Mob and Blades of Glory copies.

[Bitethis]

that looks like a BEAST to throw

[Bill Babler]

Very nice work. Always great to catch something on anything you make at home. Did you buy a wire bender and wrapper? That is a lot of work and very hard on hands without a machine.